League

Gateshead Stadium
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Gateshead's Nath Storry started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Richard Nailor came up free with the goalie in the 3rd minute, the Ashton-in-Makerfield fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Richard Nailor couldn't finish the play. In the 5th minute the ball was on its way in behind Gateshead's goalkeeper Eddie Keane, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After 16 played minutes Ashton-in-Makerfield got a freekick which was hit by Alfie Featherson. Sonny Dobby's late challenge caught a Gateshead's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Sonny Dobby helped the player get up and apologised. After having played for 30 minutes, Niall Rawson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ashton-in-Makerfield's supporters crossed their fingers, but Niall Rawson was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Sonny Hanson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without David Fleetwood having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Ashton-in-Makerfield's Harry Barltrop got a free kick in the 36th minute. Eddie Keane showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Richard Nailor in the 44th minute of the match. Gateshead's Nath Storry got a good chance for a goal in the 48th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Richard Nailor to make the kick off. In the 51st minute, Alfie Featherson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After having played for 53 minutes, Nath Storry managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Gateshead's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nath Storry was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 54th minute, Sonny Hanson managed to get in a good position for a shot. Gateshead's supporters rose to their feet, but Sonny Hanson was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. David Fleetwood breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 59th minute the ball was on its way in behind Gateshead's goalkeeper Eddie Keane, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Niall Rawson in the 69thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Eddie Keane, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After 71 played minutes Ashton-in-Makerfield got a freekick which was hit by Sonny Dobby. After 72 played minutes, Gateshead's Ty Hughes-Guy shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper David Fleetwood came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Gateshead reached it. In the 75th minute, Niall Rawson got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Eddie Keane didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 79th minute, which inside left pole to 0-1. Sonny Hanson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 84th minute. David Fleetwood tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Eddie Keane stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Richard Nailor's shot from short distance in the 86th minute. Ashton-in-Makerfield's David Fleetwood played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nath Storry in the 94th minute of play. The corner ended in Sol Shephard almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Ashton-in-Makerfield's David Fleetwood did a great save. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Ashton-in-Makerfield had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.